Opaque inks and applications thereof

Abstract

In one aspect, inks for use with a three dimensional printing system are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink for use in a three dimensional printing system comprises about 10-95 weight % polymerizable component and about 3-25 weight % non-reactive wax component, wherein the ink when cured has a T g greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. An ink for use in a three dimensional printing system comprising:
 about 10-95 weight % polymerizable component; and 
 about 3-25 weight % non-reactive wax component, 
 
       wherein the ink when cured has a T g  greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component; and 
       wherein the T g  is between 75° C. and 150° C. 
     
     
       2. The ink of  claim 1  further comprising an oil. 
     
     
       3. The ink of  claim 2 , wherein the oil comprises about 1-10 weight % of the ink. 
     
     
       4. The ink of  claim 2 , wherein the oil comprises a plant oil. 
     
     
       5. The ink of  claim 1  further comprising at least one dye. 
     
     
       6. The ink of  claim 1  further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of photoinitiators, inhibitors, stabilizing agents, sensitizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. The ink of  claim 1 , wherein the ink is not pigmented. 
     
     
       8. The ink of  claim 1 , wherein the ink does not comprise an inorganic pigment. 
     
     
       9. The ink of  claim 7 , wherein the ink is opaque at about 25° C. when cured. 
     
     
       10. The ink of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerizable component comprises one or more species of (meth)acrylates. 
     
     
       11. The ink of  claim 1 , wherein the non-reactive wax component comprises an SPC wax. 
     
     
       12. A three dimensionally printed dental model comprising an ink, the ink comprising about 10-95 weight % polymerizable component and about 3-25 weight % non-reactive wax component, wherein the ink when cured has a T g  greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component, wherein the T g  is between 75° C. and 150° C., and wherein the ink is not pigmented. 
     
     
       13. A method of printing a three dimensional article comprising:
 selectively depositing layers of a fluid ink to form the three dimensional article on a substrate, the ink comprising about 10-95 weight % polymerizable component and about 3-25 weight % non-reactive wax component, wherein the ink when cured has a T g  greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component, and wherein the T g  is between 75° C. and 150° C. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the layers of the ink are deposited according to an image of the three dimensional article in a computer readable format. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  further comprising supporting at least one of the layers of the ink with a support material. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  further comprising curing the layers of ink. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13  further comprising heating the three dimensional article to a temperature greater than the melting point of the non-reactive wax component. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising cooling the three dimensional article to about 25° C. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein cooling is carried out within about 5 minutes or less. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein cooling comprises at least partially immersing the three dimensional article in a cooled liquid at a temperature between about −90° C. and about 25° C. or placing the three dimensional article in a refrigerator.